External and Alumni Membership
- Are you a student or member of staff at another university? If so, you may not need to apply for external membership (for which you could be charged). Instead, you may be able to join the SCONUL Access scheme for which there is no charge. Joining SCONUL Access would allow you to visit the Library on any day of the year, normally between 9am and 9pm. Depending on your student/staff status, you may also be able to borrow books. To find our more and to apply, please refer to further information.
- Visiting for reference-only during weekends and vacations? If so, you do not need to join as an external member. You can visit the Library, normally between 9am and 9pm, on any weekday during the University's vacation and any weekend throughout the whole year. For more information, please refer to general information for visitors.
- Wish to borrow books or visit the Library any time or day? Unless you are a SCONUL Access visitor with a borrowing allowance, you may wish to apply for External/Alumni membership. This would enable you to borrow up to 5 books at any one time. For more information, please read on:
Applying for External/Alumni membership
Please ask at the Main Counter on Level 2 (the Ground Floor) for an application form or write to the Librarian. A borrower card will be produced for you. The annual fee is £150 (including VAT) with the following exceptions:
- Members of the University Alumni who have graduated within the last year: membership is free for 12 months from your graduation date on production of, either the letter which is sent to you by the Alumni office confirming your graduate status, or your Degree Certificate.
- Members of University Convocation & Graduates of the University of Bath: the annual fee is £50 (including VAT).
Access to the Library / Opening Hours
- External members are allowed to visit the Library any time it is open. It is normally open 24 hours a day, every day of the year: opening hours & staffed services.
- Please be aware that unaccompanied children under the age of 16 will not be granted access.
- Admission does not entitle you to use the computers except for a number of 'Catalogue PCs' (these allow for catalogue searching and walk-in access to limited online resources).
- You are welcome to view books, journals and other materials across a broad range of subjects. Coverage is strongest in the following areas: Architecture & Building Engineering, Biological Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Economics, Education, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Materials Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Modern Languages & International Studies, Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Physics, Politics, Psychology and Sociology (including statistics). Coverage does not include Law.
Online resources
- Walk-in Access: this service enables visitors to view a range of e-journals, e-books and databases. These are available via a number of 'Catalogue PCs' located in the Library (you do not need to log on to these PCs). Due to license agreements with specific publishers, visitors are not able to access the full range of the Library's online resources and off-campus access is not possible. To find out which resources are available through the Walk-in service, please refer to the list of electronic resources for visitors. Visitors are not able to print or save material from the 'Catalogue PCs'.
- For information about freely-available online resources that you can access from home, you might like to refer to guide to accessing research information for free. This includes links to websites that may help you locate journal articles and other information within Education and Science.
Finding & borrowing items
- Please use the Library Catalogue (there are a number of Catalogue PCs located throughout the Library). To find out where a print journal or book is located, find its catalogue record. Then note the relevant level/floor and the item's shelfmark which begins with PER. To search for an article, search for the journal title rather than the article itself. Then check the journal's holdings to find out whether the relevant issue is available.
- You can the view Library Floorplans to find out on which floor a specific subject's stock is located.
- Information about borrowing books, reservations & fines. Please note that External Members may borrow up to 5 items at any one time and that they pay the same rate of fines as staff and students.
- Book or journal article not held by the Library? At a charge of £10.50, you can request it by contacting the Inter-Library Loans team / more information.
- Postgraduate dissertations and theses: these can be requested at the Main Counter on Level 2 (the Ground Floor). They are listed on the Library Catalogue.
Photocopying
The Copy and Print department contains self-service copying equipment and is located at the back of the Library, Level 2, in the north-east corner. To photocopy, you will need a card, which you can obtain from the vending machine situated in the north-west corner of the Library on Level 2. The card costs £2 and contains 50p worth of credit. You may add credit to this initial balance if you wish using the adjacent value loader machines: please refer to information about prices. You must photocopy within the limits set by copyright law. You can find out more about the Copy and Print Service.
The University Archives
The University Archives are housed within the Library and contain both documents relating to the University. They also contain special archival collections connected with local residents or members of the University. Anyone with a genuine interest is welcome to use the archives. These can be viewed by appointment between 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Tel: +44 (0)1225 383464. More information.
External Members with Disabilities
We provide services for anyone who may need extra help or support, such as those with hearing or visual impairment, mobility impairment, autistic spectrum disorders, dyslexia, or other requirements. Library users who need such support are very welcome to visit an Information Point or contact their Subject Librarian so that we can discuss your individual needs.
Travelling to the University
The University is situated on Claverton Down, and is approached by North Rd and Quarry Rd. From the North (A46) and East (A4), look for signs for the A36 (Warminster). North Rd is on the right, 300 yards after joining the A36, signposted Claverton Down. From the South and South West, approach via Claverton Down Rd and Norwood Ave. The Library is located in the centre of the campus, on the central pedestrian thoroughfare, The Parade: campus map. Buses provide a regular service to the campus from the city centre (and sometimes from Bath Spa University): more information.
Wireless Access on campus
You are welcome to use your laptop. BTOpenzone wireless hotspots are now available on campus where you see the sign shown here. More information on Computing Services webpage.
